Portable desk.



No. 869,918. PATENT-ED NOV. '5, 1907.

J. LIPSGOND.

PORTABLE DESK. APPLICATION FILED APR. 6, 1905. RENEWED MAR. 30, 1907.

Jlfi'jaaconql, I

UN ITED STATES PATENT OFFIOE.

JULIUS LIPSOOND, OF INDIANOLA, MISSISSIPPI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD TOJACKSON HODGES, OF INDIANOLA, MISSISSIPPI.

PORTABLE DESK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov 5, 1907.

Application filed April 6. 1905. Serial No. 254,127. Renewed March 30.1907- Serial No. 365,602-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, .IULiUs LIPSCOND, a citizen of the United States,residing at Indianola, in the county of Sunflower and State ofMississippi, have invented a new and useful Improvement in PortableDesks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is an improved construction of portable disk, book restor support, the object being to provide a simple and convenient form ofdevice by means of which a book or writing pad or a number of sheets ofpaper can be conveniently held in position for reading or writing, saiddesk or support being particularly adapted for the use of personsobliged to hold a book or pad while walking about. The device can alsobe used as a desk or support while in a sitting position.

The invention consists in the novel features of construction hereinafterfully described and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification Figure 1 is aperspective view of a desk or support constructed in accordance with myinvention. Fig. 2 is a side view of the desk proper. Fig. 3 is aninverted plan view. Fig. 4 is a rear end view.

In carrying out my invention I employ a flat board A preferably squarein shape and exceedingly thin and light.

B indicate the side rails made of rod metal and preferably nickled, theforward ends of said side rails being bent downwardly as shown at B andconnected to the under side of'the board A as shown at B The said siderails are also bent downwardly as shown at B and connected to the underside of the board by means of the clips O and the rods are thencontinued downwardly and connected to a curved metal plate D which isprovided with hooks D adapted to engage the waist band of the trousers,the plate D bearing against the stomach.

E indicates a supporting bail connected to the downwardly extending rodsF which as before stated are preferably a continuation of the side railsB but it will be understood that this is not necessary. The bail E hasan eye E at its upper end to which connects a chain G, said chain havinga collar H connected to its upper end, said collar being adapted to beplaced around the neck of the person in front of whom the desk has to besupported.

In operation the collar is fastened around the neck and the hooks of themetal plate D are fastened into the waist band of the trousers and thedesk or support will then be held in front of the person in a convenientposition for either reading or writing and in order to se- 4 curely holda book or writing pad or one or more sheets of paper on the desk andprevent the same blowing away or becoming otherwise displaced, I arrangea rest board I at the rear end of the board A. A bar K is arranged toslide upon the side rails B, said bar hav ing spring arms L connectedthereto, which arms carry a plate M at their rear ends, said plate beingadapted to press against the book or paper and hold the same firmly uponthe board A and for the purpose of elevating said plate I employ a rod Nhaving a handle N at its rear end in convenient reach of the operator,the forward end of said rod l'eing connected to the presser plate M, andif preferred may be provided with an extension N which is pivotallyconnected to the slid ing cross-bar K. It will thus be seen thatwhenever it is desired to turn the pages of the book or remove the sheetof paper it is only necessary to raise the presser plate by means of therod N and as soon as said rod is released the springs will throw theplate back to its normal position and securely hold the book or paperupon the board.

A device constructed as herein shown and described will be particularlyuseful to auctioneers, freight handlers and all classes of clerks whoare required to make entries while walking about. The device can also beused as an ordinary desk or book rest.

Having thus fully described my invention, What I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is:-

1, A device of the kind described comprising a board having side rails,the supporting rods having a plate connected thereto and provided withmeans for engaging the clothing, a bail connected to the supportingrods, a chain connected to said bail, a collar connected to the chainand a bar provided with clamping members adapted to slide on said siderails, as set forth.

2. A device of the kind described comprising a board, having the siderails extending out at one end forming supporting rods which areconnected to a plate provided with hooks, the bail connected to thesupporting rods provided with an eye at its upper end, a chain fastenedin said eye, and a collar attached to said chain for the purpose setforth.

3. A device of the kind described comprising a board having the siderails, a cross bar sliding upon said side rails, the presser plate andthe spring arms connecting said plate and sliding cross bar and a leverconnected to said plate and bar as set forth.

4. A device of the kind described comprising a board having side rails,the sliding cross-bar, the presser plate, the spring arms connectingsaid plate and sliding cross bar, the lifting rod connected to thepresser plate said side rails extending downwardly from one end andprovided with a curved plate at their ends, hooks arranged on saidplate, a bail connected to the said rods provided with an eye at its endand a chain carrying a collar connected to said eye, as set forth.

JULIUS LIPSCOND.

Witnesses I'II'RAM HILL, CHAS. M. HARRISON.

